Nickelodeon star, singer Drake Bell to perform at speedway

Across Newton there is a collective sigh of teenage girls who just heard the announcement that Nickelodeon star and singer Drake Bell will be performing at the Iowa Speedway. Bell, who is one of the stars of Nickelod-eonÕs ÒJosh and Drake ShowÓ and has two hit songs ÒI KnowÓ and ÒDo What You Want,Ó will perform following the Indy Pro race on June 21. Although Bell is appearing at the Iowa Speedway as a pop star, heÕs also made appearances in several popular TV shows and movies, including ÒSeinfeld,Ó ÒHome Improvement,Ó ÒHigh FidelityÓ and ÒJerry Maguire.Ó According to BellÕs Web site, it was on the set of the 1998 movie ÒChanging DestinyÓ where he learned to play the guitar from co-star Roger Daltrey of The Who. BellÕs performance at the speedway is just the latest concert announced for the upcoming racing season. Also appearing is Emerson Drive on April 19, Trent Tomlinson on May 17, Dean Torrence of Jan and Dean on May 18, Blue Oyster Cult on June 22, Firehouse on July 20, Heartland on Aug. 10 and Phil Vassar on Sept. 20. Iowa Speedway President Jerry Jauron said this yearÕs concert series has broad appeal. ÒThese are nationally prominent acts and weÕre excited to bring this caliber of music to Iowa,Ó he said. ÒThese live events are especially noteworthy since each concert is billed with a high quality race and, for the price of a race ticket, people can experience great racing and great musicÓ.ÊÊ Tickets for the 2008 Concert Series and races are now on sale. ÑÑÑ On the Web: www.iowaspeedway.com www.drakebell.com